A LUNCHEON.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1926, Page 3

A LUNCHEON.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] | (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) .LONDON, July 7. Hon. Amery in toasting Sir James | Parr, chief guest at the Empire Pro- i ' ducers’ lunch, paid a tribute to the high standard of New Zealand’s High / Commissioners, who educated Britain , into realising New Zealand’s economic position and patriotism. 110 recalled Sir J. Parr as Mayor of Auckland, who welcomed him on his first arrival in New Zealand. Since then New Zea- j land, like the rest of the. Empire, had made immense strides. The Empire to-day was different from thirty years . ago, infinitely greater, stronger and . (more united but future evolution would ‘ make it different thirty years lienee. . New Zealand’s Commissioner's assisted , K greatly in shaping and developing Em- , Dpi re sentiments. Sir J. Allen was re- ( to New Zealand with a mem- ( ory of countless friendships and the consciousness that a great creative work had heen accomplished. Everybody was sorry Sir J. Allen was going, but was ready to extend the same cordiality to Sir J. Parr. He was confident be would carry on the work with the same efficiency and congeniality. Sir J. Parr acknowledged the tri- | butes and pointed out New Zealand poured out a stream of sixty million of exports annually, supplying half of Britain’s mutton and lamb. She exported all her butter to Britain and supplied forty-five per cent of the • cheese, where she heat even Denmark. It was a remarkable tribute to the • productivity of New Zealand whose exports bad expanded four hundred per 1 cent in the past decade. There was likely to bo a corresponding increase in 1 the next decade resulting from hydroelectric development. A remarkable testimony to the equal division of New Zealand’s wealth was shown in 735,000 savings bank account, equalling one to- every two persons and averaging £65 a head. • Sir ,T. Parr continuedln New Zealand there were no millionaires. Men possessing half of that amount could be counted on one hand. They were ready to trade with foreigners but they preferred to- trade within the family. New Zealanders ns primary producers ( viewed with the gravest anxiety the continuance of the British coal strike, because it reduced the purchasing power, and this would react on dominion trade with Britain. It was a tragedy to New Zealanders to realise that foreigners supplied the hulk ot New Zealand’s motor cars. All hoped that British manufacturers in conjunction with New Zealanders would help to reverse the position. He believed this liugq trade rightly belonged to Britain. Why should millions be poured into the" foreigners’ lap. when it ought to provide work for British unemployed. It was because British manufacturers produced a small power car whereas New Zealand roads and bills reqiyiied high power. Therefore the British taxation on horsepower had a deterrent effect on her exports. It ought to ho possible to find a remedy to enable the Biritsiher to capture New Zealand’s motor trade. British manufacturers bad done much in supplying small cars valued at £2OO but the calamity was that only one tenth ot the demand for ears of this type can be supplied. “Trade among the family was our slogan for supplmentm- and cementing tl.e ties of Kingship and la 'SrT Allen hoped the Merchandise i Marks Bill before the House of Commons will be placed in the statute m n. form satisfactory to. thejlonnnio -• 4. _T"